Advanced Buildings was developed by the New Buildings Institute. It is a collection of technical resources and training opportunities useful to the design and operation of high performance buildings. Resources include a database of high performance buildings that use less than 50% of the energy of conventional buildings http://www.advancedbuildings.net/

American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE)

The ACEEE has promoted energy efficiency practices and policies for nearly 30 years. Titles of its numerous technical papers and conference proceedings, including their semi-annual Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings are all listed on the site along with purchasing information. http://www.aceee.org American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) ASHRAE is a professional organization dedicated to the creation and promotion of quality-based standard practices in the HVAC&R industry. Members have access to ASHRAE technical articles and conference papers. Anyone can browse abstracts of ASHRAE’s numerous books, journal articles and other technical publications that are available for purchase. http://www.ashrae.org

Architecture 2030 Challenge

This initiative has established performance standards for buildings to achieve by the year 2030. The standards include significant reductions in green house gases, energy consumption, and the use of fossil fuel. Guidelines for Implementation of these standards are provided here. http://www.architecture2030.org/2030_challenge/index.html

ASHRAE Advanced Energy Design Guides

ASHRAE developed design guides for six building types; healthcare, offices, lodging, schools, retail, and warehouses. The goal of these guides is to provide users with the tools to achieve building energy savings that are 30% above the savings of buildings that meet the minimum requirements of ASHRAE Standard 90.1 1999. http://www.ashrae.org/publications/page/1604

Assessment of the Technical Potential for Achieving Net Zero-Energy Buildings in the Commercial Sector

This National Renewable Energy Laboratory paper reports on the findings from their research to assess the potential for zero-energy building technologies and practices to reduce energy consumption in the commercial building sector. http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy08osti/41957.pdf

Energy Efficiency Class Resources

Buildings Energy Data Book, 2009 The Department of Energy’s Buildings Energy Data Book is updated annually. This publication contains statistics on residential and commercial building energy consumption in the US. The Data Book also includes characteristics and efficiencies of common commercial equipment. http://buildingsdatabook.eere.energy.gov/

BuildingGreen

BuildingGreen is a good resource for information on environmentally friendly products, building design and operation practices. This site provides abstracts of all articles from Environmental Building News, plus full text of selected articles, product reviews, GreenSpec® product information service, and resource lists on green building topics. http://www.buildinggreen.com

California Energy Commission. Title 24 Energy Efficiency Standards

The CEC’s web site provides access to the new Title 24 Standards, Residential and Nonresidential Compliance Manuals, Alternative Calculation Manuals, and the 2008 Reference Appendices. Links are also provided for information about Computer Compliance Software and HERS regulations. http://www.energy.ca.gov/title24/2008standards/

Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS)

CBECS is a sample survey of U.S. commercial buildings’ energy characteristics that is published every 4 years by the Energy Information Administration. The survey includes data on buildings’ energy consumption, energy expenditures, end-use equipment, and energy sources. http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cbecs/

Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE)

CEE promotes the manufacture and acquisition of energy efficient products and services for homes and businesses. Topics include lighting, HVAC, and refrigeration equipment. Efficiency specifications, product information, qualifying equipment lists, and FAQs on commercial equipment are available on this site. http://www.cee1.org

Benchmarking The EPA’s energy performance rating system has tools and resources for benchmarking the energy performance of buildings. Tools include Portfolio Manager and the Benchmarking Starter Kit. http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=eeps_guidebook.eeps_guidebook-2-benchmarking

ENERGY STAR Building Upgrade Manual

This manual is a guide to planning and implementing energy saving building upgrades. Individual chapters cover heating and cooling, lighting, air distribution, load reduction and retrocommissioning. http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfmc=business.bus_upgrade_manual Flex Your Power.

Commercial Sector: Upgrade Your Facility

The Commercial Sector of this site includes steps and tools for upgrading your facility, plus a Best Practices Guide for improving the energy efficiency of office buildings and lowering operating costs. The guide also includes case studies. http://www.fypower.org/com/upgrade.html

Energy Efficiency Class Resources

Green Building Research Center (GBRC). University of California, Berkeley The GBRC was created to promote sustainable building design and operation on the Berkeley campus. The Best Practices case studies feature the top design and retrofit performers in energy efficiency, sustainability, innovation, and cost-effectiveness throughout the UC/CSU/CCC community. http://www.greenbuildings.berkeley.edu/index.htm

LEED for Existing Buildings

Operations & Maintenance LEED for Existing Buildings Rating System helps building owners and operators measure their existing operations and improvements to their practices. This system includes Operations & Maintenance Rating System, Checklist, and Reference Guide. These publications can be downloaded from this site. http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=221

LEED® Green Building Rating System

This newest version of LEED launched in April 2009. Learn about the components of this updated building rating system for new construction and major renovations, opportunities for LEED training, webcasts, and LEED credentials here. The LEED Reference Guides can be downloaded or ordered in hard copy from this USGBC site. Project Profiles and Case Studies can be found under the Resources navigation tab. http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspxCMSPageID=1970

The California Commissioning Collaborative is a group of government, utility, and building service professionals organized to develop and promote commissioning practices in the California. The CCC site includes over 40 case studies, and has recently added a Library to its Resources that contains articles, white papers, guides, and sample commissioning documents. http://www.cacx.org

Cost-Effectiveness of Commercial-Buildings Commissioning.

Evan Mills et al. This December 2004 paper is a comprehensive compilation and analysis of commissioning data from over 200 commercial buildings throughout the United States. The paper examines commissioning data from both existing and new buildings. http://eetd.lbl.gov/emills/PUBS/Cx-Costs-Benefits.html Green California.

Commissioning and Retro-Commissioning Buildings

California’s initiative for green buildings includes the commissioning and retrocommissioning process. This section describes the commissioning and retrocommissioning process and provides access to many useful guidelines, reports, and tools. Links to related Green California sites are also provided. http://www.green.ca.gov/CommissioningGuidelines/default.htm

A Practical Guide for Commissioning Existing Buildings

Prepared by the staffs of Portland Energy Conservation, Inc. and Oakridge National Laboratory, this guide covers the benefits and methodologies of retrocommissioning projects. http://www.osti.gov/bridge/product.biblio.jsposti_id=15043

Incentives Commercial Building Tax Deduction Coalition

This coalition presents an overview of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and provides answers to some frequently asked questions. Links to related rules and legislative updates are also available on this site. http://www.efficientbuildings.org

Energy Efficiency Class Resources

Commercial Lighting Tax Deduction Find details on the tax deductions available for lighting upgrades here. A Guide to the Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings Deduction, resources to assist with implementing the deduction, information about lighting technologies, ASHRAE 90.1, and case studies are provided. http://www.lightingtaxdeduction.org/

DSIRE

Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency DSIRE provides information about financial incentives for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects throughout the United States. Information is provided on state, local, utility, and federal programs and is organized by state. Click on the state of California to view information about available incentives. http://www.dsireusa.org

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 provides tax deductions to building owners and designers for energy saving measures included in new or existing commercial buildings. This site provides links to resources that provide details about these deductions. http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfmc=tax_credits.tx_comm_buildings

Tax Incentives Assistance Project (TIAP)

TIAP provides tax incentive information to homeowners, businesses, builders and manufacturers. Some of the information provided includes an overview of tax incentives, credit amounts, and descriptions of eligible projects. http://www.energytaxincentives.org

Here you will find information about cash rebates and incentives for replacing existing equipment with new energy efficient technologies or purchasing new equipment. Design assistance for a new facility and system process is also available. http://www.pge.com/mybusiness/energysavingsrebates/incentivesbyindustry/

Small and Medium Businesses Energy Management Solutions

Information about rebates, incentives, and resources available for your retrofit or new construction project can be found here. http://www.pge.com/mybusiness/energysavingsrebates/smallmediumbusiness/